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BELIEF-DAILY LIFE
IF YOUR LEFT PALM ITCHES, YOU WILL RECEIVE A LETTER.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED FROM HER SCHOOL FRIENDS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: INDIANA ; South Bend
Keyword(s): Hand ; ITCH ; Palm ; PREDICTION ; SIGN ; SYMBOL ; Visitor
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: 11-23-1967
To find water that is hidden below ground, hold two willow
branches (or two coat hangers which have been straightened
and then bent into an "L" shape) loosely in your hands. As
you pass over water, the sticks/wires will cross over one
another. When you move past the water, the sticks/wires will
uncross.
Submitter comment:
Elaine swears that her father has been able to discover
water by this method many times. She herself, being skeptical,
tried it and the procedure worked. Elaine has so much faith
in her father's ability, that she plans to have him locate a
new spot to drill a second well on her northern Michigan
property, since the well she has now is sluggish.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): DIVINATION ; dowsing ; PREDICTION ; WATER WITCHING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Water BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001972CA
THE LEGEND OF ELMWOOD CEMETARY.
ONE COLD RAINY DAY AS A MAN LEFT THE CAPUCHIN MONASTERY ON MT.
ELLIOT ST. IN DETROIT, HE OBSERVED A YOUNG LADY NEAR A GRAVE SITE
AT THE CEMETARY ACROSS THE STREET. PASSING NEAR HER ON HIS WAY TO
HIS CAR, HE OFFERED HER A RIDE. SINCE SHE SEEMED RATHER HELPLESS
IN THE FACE OF THE ELEMENTS, SHE RELUCTANTLY ACCEPTED. HE DROVE
HER TO AN ADDRESS ON THE NEAR EAST SIDE FOR WHICH SHE THANKED HIM
WARMLY. HE ASKED HER IF HE COULD CALL UPON HER SOME TIME IN THE
FUTURE AND SHE SAID IT WOULD BE ALL RIGHT. RETURNING TO THE ADDRESS
SOME WEEKS LATER, HE WAS TOLD THAT NO GIRL LIVED THERE. THE
RESIDENT ASKED FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE YOUNG GIRL AFTER WHICH SHE
ASKED OUR YOUNG MAN INTO THE HOUSE. HE WAS SHOWN A PICTURE
OF THE GIRL AND WAS INFORMED THAT SHE HAD DIED SUDDENLY SOME
YEARS EARLIER. APPARENTLY HE HAD PICKED UP THE YOUNG LADY AT THE
SITE OF HER GRAVE.
Data entry tech comment:
THIS STORY SOUNDS MORE AS IF THE INFORMANT WERE READING THE STORY,
INSTEAD OF TELLING A TRUE TALE. THE REASON I FEEL THIS WAY IS
BECAUSE NO ONE TELLS A STORY IN THE PERFECT WAY IT IS DONE HERE.
THIS STORY IS A FAIRLY COMMON MOTIF. THE STORY IS ALSO KNOWN AS
" LILY " OR " THE HITCHHIKER. " BUT BOTH OF THEM END WITH THE
HITCHHIKER BEING DEAD FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND THE GHOST IS LONELY
OR TRYING TO FIND ITS WAY TO SAFETY AND WARMTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
PETTICOAT LUCE
HERE IS ANOTHER IRISH STORY GRANDPA LAMB USED TO TELL US WHEN WE WER
KIDS. THIS IS THE STORY OF PETTICOAT LUCE. THERE WAS THIS OLD
FARMER COMING HOME FROM THE VILLAGE AT NIGHT. AS HE CROSSED A STREA
HE NOTICED A WOMAN AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHO WANTED A RIDE SO HE
STOPPED HIS WAGON AND LET HER ON. AS HE CONTINUED HE NOTICED THE
HORSE WAS PANTING AS IF THE LOAD WAS GETTING HEAVIER AND HEAVIER.
THE FARMER LET PETTICOAT LUCE OFF AT ANOTHER STREAM BUT WHEN HE GOT
HOME WOULD YOU BELIEVE THE HORSE DROPPED DEAD.
Submitter comment:
I THINK THE EXPLANATION TO THIS STORY IS THAT PETTICOAT LUCE WAS A
PHANTOM WHO WEIGHED MORE AND MORE. THIS IRISH LEGEND WAS TOLD BY
GRANDPA LAMB TO MY UNCLE JIM LAMB WHEN HE WAS A KID IN DEARBORN.
James Callow comment: COMPARE "THE VANISHING HITCHHIKER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): GHOSTLY HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1939 ; 11-22-1979
FATHER BAKER'S MIRACLE
THIS IS A TRUE STORY ABOUT FATHER BAKER'S MIRACLE. FATHER BAKER HAD A
LITTLE CHURCH IN BUFFALO NEW YORK. HE WANTED TO BUILD A NEW CHURCH,
BUT THERE WAS NO MONEY. ONE DAY AFTER CELEBRATING MASS HE TOLD THE
ALTAR BOYS TO FOLLOW THEM. STILL DRESSED IN THE GARB OF THE CHURCH
FATHER BAKER POINTED TO A PLACE IN AN EMPTY FIELD AND SAID "DRILL
HERE FOR OIL," BUT EVERYONE KNEW THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE AREA. ON HIS
INSISTANCE THEY DRILLED, FOUND OIL LESS THAN FIFTY FEET DOWN,
AND THUS FINANCED THE CHURCH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS A MEMBER OF FATHER BAKER'S PARISH WHERE THE STORY
IS TOLD.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
James Callow Keyword(s): PRIEST AS OIL WITCH ; WATER WITCH: OIL WITCH
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
PALM SUNDAY GREETING
FOR UKRAINIANS, THE PUSSY WILLOWS REPLACE THE PALM AND THE
DAY IS CALLED FLOWERY SUNDAY. AFTER THE BLESSING AND THE
DISTRIBUTION OF THE PUSSY WILLOWS, THE PEOPLE GENTLY TAP
ONE ANOTHER WITH THE PUSSY WILLOW. THEY SAY THIS VERY
TRADITIONAL PHRASE. I AM NOT HITTING YOU, THE PUSSY WILLOW
IS HITTING YOU, A WEEK FROM TODAY IS EASTER.
THE PUSSY WILLOWS ARE THEN TAKEN HOME. THEY ARE USED AS A
SACRAMENTAL AND PLACED BEHIND HOLY PICTURES ON A WALL OR
ARRANGED IN A VASE ON A TABLE OR DRESSER.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): SWITCHING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Ash Wednesday SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001950S
SOME "FOSSOYEUR", IN ORDER TO MAKE SOME MONEY, SELL DIRT FROM
CEMETERIES, WATER FROM TOMBS, AND ALSO SKULLS TO "QUIMBOISEURS".
THE "QUIMBOISEURS" USED TO PAY IN A CERTAIN WAY SO THAT THEY DO
NOT GET BAD LUCK OR MISFORTUNE. FOR INSTANCE, THE DIRT AND THE
WATER WERE SOLD IN GLASS CONTAINERS, AND THEY PAY FOR THEM WITH
WHITE ROCKS OR SILVER JEWELRY, AND ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SKULL
WAS PAID FOR WITH GOLD.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
Keyword(s): "FOSSOYEURS" ARE GRAVEDIGGERS ; "QUIMBOISEURS" ARE PEOPLE THAT ; PRACTICE WITCHCRAFT AND ALSO WHITE MAGIC.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Curer |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
IN ORDER TO CURE SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN SICK, THE "QUIMBOISEUR" WILL
GIVE THE PERSON A BATH USING THE SAME WATER THAT SEVEN DOGS HAD
BEEN BATHED IN.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
Keyword(s): "QUIMBOISEUR" IS SOMEONE THAT PRACTICES WITCHCRAFT AND WHITE MAGIC.
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
THERE IS A TRIBE IN THE NORTHERN PART OF NIGERIA CALLED FULANI.
IF A YOUNG MAN FROM THIS TRIBE WANTS TO MARRY, A CERTAIN RITUAL
WILL BE PERFORMED FOR HIM WHICH THE WHOLE VILLAGE WILL WITNESS.
THE YOUNG MAN WHO WANTS TO MARRY WILL PULL OFF HIS CLOTHES EXCEPT
HIS SHORT PANTS, AND HE WILL BE GIVEN SEVERAL LASHES OF CANE AT THE
BACK. IF HE CRIES, HE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO MARRY, BECAUSE IT IS
ASSUMED THAT HE IS NOT MATURED TO MARRY. BUT IF HE DOES NOT CRY
THE ELDERS OF THE VILLAGE WILL GLADLY GIVE HIM THE BRIDE TO WED.
Where learned: NIGERIA
James Callow Keyword(s): SWITCHING WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
MY GIRLFRIEND'S COUSIN WAS A CAB DRIVER IN NEW YORK ABOUT 10
YEARS AGO.ONE DAY HE PICKED UP A FARE TO GO TO THIS ADDRESS
IN THE BRONX. IT WAS A WHITE LADY WITH LONG BLOND HAIR. HE TOOK
HER TO THE HOUSE,AND WHEN HE GOT THERE THE LADY WAS GONE BUT HE
KNEW HE HAD PICKED HER UP.HE WENT TO THE DOOR TO INQUIRE ABOUT
THE LADY AND THE MAN THERE SAID THAT THAT WAS HIS WIFE AND
SHE WOULD DO THAT EVERY YEAR ON HIS BIRTHDAY.
Where learned: NEW YORK
James Callow Keyword(s): VANISHING HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
GHOST STORY
"WHEN MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER CAME TO THE UNITED STATES FROM
IRELAND, HE WAS WORKING AS A TAXI CAB DRIVER. ON HIS ROUTE
HE USED TO PASS A GRAVEYARD. ON HIS WAY PAST IT ONE TIME
HE NOTICED A WOMAN STANDING ON THE ROAD NEAR THERE. HE PICKED
HER UP AND TOOK HER HOME. HE PICKED UP THIS SAME LADY EVERY-
DAY AT THE SAME TIME. MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER GOT TO KNOW THIS
PERSON VERY WELL. ONE DAY THIS LADY DIDN'T SHOW UP, SO MY
GREAT-GRANDFATHER WENT TO HER HOUSE TO CHECK UP ON HER.
AN OLD LADY ANSWERED THE DOOR AND MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER ASKED
HER ABOUT THIS LADY. THE OLD LADY HAD A GHASTLY LOOK ON HER
FACE AND SAID THAT IT WAS HER DAUGHTER WHO HAD DIED SOME TIME
AGO AND THE GRAVEYARD THAT HE PASSED EVERYDAY WAS THE GRAVEYARD
THAT HER DAUGHTER WAS BURIED IN."
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; CARTERET
James Callow Keyword(s): VANISHING HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00001973CA
ONE NIGHT MY UNCLE SAID HE WENT TO A PARTY AND HE JUST SAT AROUND
WATCHING EVERYONE HAVE A GOOD TIME. EVERYONE WAS HAVING A GOOD
TIME DANCING. MY UNCLE WAS VERY SHY AND HE COULDN'T DANCE VERY
WELL. ALL OF A SUDDEN, HE LOOKS ACROSS THE ROOM AND SEES THIS
GIRL AND THE GIRL CAUGHT HIS EYE AND SHE BEGIN TO STARE AT HIM.
HE KEPT STARING AT HER. SOMETHING DREW HIM TO HER AND SHE GOT HIM
HIM TO DANCE. NO ONE EVER GOT HIM TO DANCE. HE HAD A GOOD TIME
DANCING WITH HER. SHE WAS PRETTY. HE TOLD HER HE WOULD LIKE TO
TAKE HER HOME AFTER THE DANCE. SHE SAID OKAY. SO AFTER THE DANCE
HE TOOK HER HOME. WHEN THEY GOT IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE, SHE TOLD
MY UNCLE TO CALL HER AS SOON AS HE GOT HOME. HE SAID OKAY AND
SHE GAVE HIM HER PHONE NUMBER. THEN SHE KISSED HIM GOOD NIGHT.
HE RUSHED HOME AND CALLED HER. HER MOTHER ANSWERED THE PHONE. HE
SAID, "HELLO! IS ALICIA HOME?" AND THE LADY SAID, "WHO? I DON'T KNOW
WHAT KIND OF GAME YOU'RE PLAYING AND HUNG UP THE PHONE. THINKING
HE HAD THE WRONG NUMBER, HE CALLED BACK. THE LADY ANSWERED THE
PHONE AGAIN AND SAID: "I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF GAME YOU'RE
PLAYING, BUT I'M GOING TO CALL THE OPERATOR AND HAVE HER CALL
THE POLICE AND HAVE YOU ARRESTED IF YOU KEEP CALLING HERE." HE
SAID: "ISN'T THIS ALICIA'S HOUSE?" THE LADY HUNG UP THE PHONE
AGAIN. SO HE DECIDED TO GO OVER HER HOUSE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS
GOING ON. HE KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND THE LADY ANSWERED THE DOOR.
HE SAID, "IS ALICIA HERE?" SHE SAID: "ARE YOU THE GUY WHO KEPT
CALLING HERE ALL DAY?" HE SAID, "YEAH. I'M TRYING TO SEE IF
ALICIA IS HERE. I DROPPED HER OFF FROM THE PARTY A LITTLE WHILE
AGO." THE LADY SAID: "I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF GAME YOU'RE
PLAYING," AND HE CUT HER OFF SAYING: "WAIT A MINUTE, NOW, THAT'S
HER PICTURE ON THE MANTLE PIECE." AND SHE SAID: "I'M SORRY!
ALICIA HAS BEEN DEAD FOR FIVE YEARS."
Submitter comment: HE SAID THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO HIS UNCLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF ; VANISHING HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
FOR THE PAST TWO OR THREE YEARS I WAKE UP ABOUT THREE OR FOUR
IN THE MORNING AND I COULD SEE A SMALL WHITE BOY, ABOUT EIGHT OR
NINE YEARS OLD, WEARING A PLAID SHIRT AND BLUE-JEANS, STANDING
IN THE DOORWAY OF MY ROOM. I'M THINKING, IT'S A DREAM, BUT IT
HAPPENS SO MANY TIMES. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THINGS IN MY ROOM ARE
MOVE AND I KNOW THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN MOVED. I HAVE A WEIGHT
BENCH AT THE BOTTOM OF MY BASEMENT STAIRS AND ONE DAY MY SON,
QUINTON, WAS IN THE BASEMENT AND HE CAME UPSTAIRS AND ASKED ME
WHO WAS THAT LITTLE BOY SITTING ON THE WEIGHT-BENCH. I ASKED MY
SON WHAT DID THE LITTLE BOY HAVE ON. MY SON SAID A PLAID SHIRT
AND BLUE-JEANS. WE WENT BACK DOWN STAIRS, BUT THE LITTLE BOY WAS
GONE. ONE DAY MY FRIEND AND HIS SON WAS OVER MY HOUSE TAPING SOME
VIDEOS. MY FRIEND'S SON WAS FIVE YEARS OLD. THEY HAD TO STOP
TAPING TO USE THE BATHROOM. SO MY FRIEND'S SON WAS WANDERING
AROUND UPSTAIRS IN MY BEDROOM AND HE SAW THE LITTLE BOY. SO HE
ASKED HIS FATHER, "DADDY, WHO IS THAT BOY IN DELFORD'S ROOM?"
HIS FATHER WENT TO THE ROOM, BUT THE LITTLE BOY WAS GONE.
WE HAVE A WEIGHT GYM IN OUR BASEMENT AND AT TIMES ME AND MY
MOTHER COULD BE WATCHING TELEVISION AND WE WOULD HEAR THINGS
(WEIGHTS) BEING MOVED AROUND. YOU CAN HEAR SOMEONE DOWN STAIRS
AS THOUGH THEY WERE LIFTING WEIGHTS. I TALKED TO THIS GUY WHO
KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT GHOST AND HE THINKS THE LITTLE BOY COULD
HAVE BEEN HURT IN THE HOUSE OR HE IS TRYING TO TELL ME WHO HURT
HIM OR MAYBE HE WAS BURIED IN THE HOUSE. I KNOW A LITTLE
HISTORY ON OUR HOUSE. THE THREE FAMILIES WHO LIVED HERE, EACH
OF THE HUSBANDS DIED--MY MOTHER'S HUSBAND, THE LADY BEFORE
THAT AND THE LADY BEFORE THAT.
A MONTH AGO, MY MOTHER HAD TAPED A MOVIE CALLED "CHIEFS" ON
THE VIDEO TAPE RECORDER. THEN SHE PUT ALL THE TAPES UP IN THEIR
PROPER PACKAGING. THE NEXT DAY SOMEBODY HAD TAPED "BENSON" OVER
THE MOVIE "CHIEFS." BESIDES THAT, ALL THE TAPES HAD BEEN
UNPACKAGED. JUST THE OTHER DAY, MY MOTHER GOT UP ABOUT 5:30 A.M.
AND SHE TOOK A SHOWER. I DON'T GET UP THAT EARLY FOR WORK.
AFTER SHE SHOWERED SHE WOKE ME UP AND ASKED WHY WAS I KNOCKING
ON THE DOOR WHEN SHE WAS IN THE SHOWER. I TOLD HER I WAS STILL
SLEEP (SIC) AND I NEVER KNOCKED ON THE DOOR.
Submitter comment: HE CLAIMS THIS IS A TRUE STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): VANISHING HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
BLACK AMERICAN
PLAIT YOUR HORSE:S MANE WITH CORN-
SHUCKS TO PREVENT WITCHES FROM
RIDING HIM. INFORMANT HEARD FROM
GRANDFATHER.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
Keyword(s): WITCHES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Plant |
BLACK-AMERICAN BELIEF
A NEGRO WITH A RABBIT FOOT, MOUNTED ON A
WHITE HORSE, IN THE DARK OF THE MOON
IN A CEMETARY, WILL BREAK A WITCH SPELL.
INFORMANT HEARD FROM GRANDFATHER, WHEN
A SMALL CHILD.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI
Keyword(s): WITCHES
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 09-15-1985
IF ONE EXPERIENCES REPEATED ITCHINESS OF THE PALMS,
IT IS A SURE SIGN THAT UNEXPECTED MONEY WILL BE RECEIVED.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; SPLASHDAM
Keyword(s): ITCH
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 00001930ca
Content filter on this entry.
IN THE EARLY 1900'S BLACK WOMEN WHO CARRIED CLOTHES ON THEIR
HEADS WERE THOUGHT TO BE BEWITCHED WITH EVIL SPIRITS AND WERE
CALLED CUNGERS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): Black ; Evil Spirits ; Witch ; WITCHES ; Woman ; WOMEN
James Callow Keyword(s): CONJURERS?
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES, COMPANY IS COMING TO VISIT WITH A HOLE
IN THEIR PANTS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): BRITCHES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching nose |
Date learned: 08-09-1968
WELL WITCHING
WHEN I WANTED MY WELL DUG, I KNEW JUST EXACTLY WHERE TO PUT
IT. I HAD WITCHED FOR IT WITH A FORKED PEACH TREE LIMB.
ALL YOU DO IS HOLD IT STEADY RIGHT OUT IN FRONT OF YOU AND
WALK ABOUT. WHEN IT BENDS, THAT IS WHERE WATER IS, AND
SURE ENOUGH IT WAS THERE. I'VE GOT A GOOD WELL FULL OF
GOOD CLEAR WATER AND I FOUND IT BY WITCHING FOR IT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; CANEY SPRINGS
Keyword(s): WATER WITCHING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Still water Man made container. BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 02-23-1969
I HEARD MY FATHER SAY IF YOU TAKE A FORKED PLUM BRANCH, IT
WILL LEAD YOU TO WATER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): WATER WITCHING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of Object Plant |
Date learned: 07-25-1968